Urgent help- 1st stillborn

My cat is in labour at the moment, it has delivered the first kitten stillborn- it's cleaned it, but what should I do to help her carry on with the rest? I understand it's normal for one or two to be stillborn in a litter.

Is the kitten fully developed? Was she pushing for a long time?

She's had 2 stillborn now, both fully developed and she wasn't in labour for long with either... looks like we're waiting on a 3rd now, we've removed the 2 dead ones she doesn't seem to mind... any more advice?

How long was she actually pushing for?

Sorry to hear they were both stillborn. Make sure mom sees you taking the kittens away.

Please make sure mom stays completely inside.

About 5 minutes per kitten, we took them once she had started to ignore them and she saw that. She's wondering around now, she's just had a bit of food, but we've got more to come so they could have been premature?

bavee said:

About 5 minutes per kitten, we took them once she had started to ignore them and she saw that. She's wondering around now, she's just had a bit of food, but we've got more to come so they could have been premature?

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My advice would be to try and revive them - sometimes its possible.  Warming up, also massaging the limbs and the body.

If they are fully developed, round a ahd hairy, and not dead by a difficult and porolonged  birth process, there is a fair chance of saving...

Try with this even NOW if you  hadnt buried them yet.  Sometimes they may wake alive even hours later...

But if nothing of this, it sounds as you did what was possible to do.  Be sure momma is comfortable etc, and try to comfort her if she seems sad and grieving.

Thanks Stefan, we tried earlier on but had no luck. We've spent the past couple of hours watching over her, she only delivered 2 so by other things I've read maybe they were premature and others could be to come as she is obviously still carrying. She has just gone back to the way she was during pregnancy, any more advice?

bavee said:

Thanks Stefan, we tried earlier on but had no luck. We've spent the past couple of hours watching over her, she only delivered 2 so by other things I've read maybe they were premature and others could be to come as she is obviously still carrying. She has just gone back to the way she was during pregnancy, any more advice?

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Nay, I dont think so.  As long as she is OK, no visible problem, etc, do observe but you can wait.   Its touchy of course.

To be honest - there IS one possible complication.  Its only you being there and observing and handling these poor bodies, whom can decide here.

If the kittens were premature as you think - we do as above, observe alike hawks but calmly waits.  This with her not much caring, barely washing off, but no visible grieving hints they and she were not yet ready.

But if you are sure they are fully done, there may be an bacterial infection going on in her vomb there.  And the best chance is to take out them immediately perhaps including an antibiotica to both her and the kittens.... 

A whole litter being stillborn is often caused by such an infection in vomb.    This is not common, even rare, but does happens now and then.

Again, its touchy - with humans its easy - if in doubt take the child out, if the surgeon is any decent (obstetric docs are too well trained in this sort of surgery, even if formally they arent titled surgeons).  But kittens dont manage well to be premature, so you must be SURE the two stillborn were fulltime...

If your vet is experienced with cat obstetrics, its of course wise to consult him, phone at least.